Triathlon: Strong run may be key to gold

By CHRIS RATTUE

Olympic champion Simon Whitfield is the triathlete to beat in Manchester, says Craig Watson, New Zealand's top performer at the 2000 Olympics.

The 31-year-old Watson was 16th in Sydney, where Canadian Whitfield was the surprise winner.

The Olympics proved a disappointment for New Zealand's triathletes, but on world rankings they will have an better chance in Manchester in another strong field.

Watson, of Christchurch, predicts the best runners will have the edge on Sunday, although Whitfield would have a tougher time taking gold again.

"He will go in as favourite. He won the last two World Cup races in Japan with his running, and this is a running race," Watson said.

"Then again, no one was looking at him in Sydney and he was allowed to get away. He'll be watched this time and that won't be allowed to happen again."

Watson had two concerns about the course at Salford Quays, a redeveloped area about a 15-minute drive from central Manchester.

The water temperature was predicted to be 18C and Watson said it had been at 17. If it dropped any lower, the triathletes would get "cold shock" when they dived in, which caused breathlessness.

The cycle course over four laps had the potential for a few spills.

"It's not hilly, but there are 13 turns on each lap and there could be a bit of danger there.

"With things like diesel on the road it can get slippery, especially if it rains."

Watson will be joined by Hamish Carter and Kris Gemmell in the race, which begins at 11am local time.

Heather Evans and Evelyn Williamson are in the women's race, which starts at 8am.

The New Zealanders are the only triathletes to stay in the village, which has meant added travelling time to training venues.

Those venues include a farmhouse in Knutsford - in Cheshire - where many of the Manchester United players live.

The couple who run the farm have taken the New Zealanders under their wing, and there is a huge park with deer and a golf course nearby.

Carter said staying at the village meant making new friends among the New Zealand athletes.

"You meet people such as [netballer] Irene van Dyk who you've only seen on television before.

"The village is a weird place to live for a long period, but you don't want to rock the boat.

"The management like the New Zealand athletes to stay there, and you want to do what's right.

"Wherever you stay, it doesn't matter really. If it's an issue, that's a sign you are stressed out."

Full coverage:
nzherald.co.nz/manchester2002

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